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This past year saw the debut of many extraordinary games — including Halo 4, Mass Effect 3, Dishonored, The Walking Dead, Sleeping Dogs and Max Payne 3, to name a few — but in the immortal words of '70s rockers BTO, "baby you ain't seen nuthin' yet."

The next 12 months promise to be even hotter for video gamers, from the launch of high-profile console and PC titles (like Call of Duty: Black Ops II), the continued boom of mobile and casual games (including a new Plants vs. Zombies in the works) or more mainstream adoption of the indie hits like Minecraft.

If you're into blockbusters, however, here's just a sampling of some of the most anticipated games worth saving for (not listed in any particular order).

The Last Of Us, a brand new adventure from Naughty Dog, is due out some time in 2013.

The Last of Us

One of the most talked-about games at the 2012 E3 video game expo was Sony's The Last Of Us, a brand new adventure from Naughty Dog (of Uncharted fame). Due out some time in 2013, this PlayStation 3 exclusive takes place in the near future, after most of the Earth's population has been wiped out by a deadly viral outbreak. Mother Earth has now reclaimed the planet, growing over much of the streets and buildings. You play as a hardened middle-aged man, Joel, who vows to protect a 14 year-old girl, Ellie, from a number of threats as they make their way across the country.

BioShock Infinite from 2K Games takes place on a floating air city in an alternate 1912.

BioShock Infinite

Unlike previous BioShock games, you're not trapped in the underwater city of Rapture. Instead, the wildly imaginative BioShock Infinite from 2K Games takes place on a floating air city in an alternate 1912, as you attempt to rescue a mysterious young woman with uncontrollable powers. The stunningly detailed world, memorable characters and cinematic action sequences — including the ability to engage in first-person firefights and hop on a rollercoaster-like rail system to get around (often at the same time) — all add to the unique gaming experience. The single-player adventure is slated for an early 2013 launch on Xbox 360, PS3 and Windows PCs.

Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar Games has confirmed its development studio Rockstar North is hard at work creating Grand Theft Auto V, the next chapter in the best-selling, open-world criminal adventure series. The game will take place in the fictional city of Los Santos — the Los Angeles-like urban playground first introduced in 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — as well as surrounding suburbs, beaches and the countryside. Little is known about the story other than "the pursuit of the almighty dollar," but it will likely offer non-linear, mission-based "sandbox" play, memorable characters, online multiplayer and great music. No launch date has been announced for this multi-platform title.

Watch Dogs

If what we saw at E3 was any indication, Ubisoft Montreal's Watch Dogs is a jaw-dropping, action-heavy adventure set in the near future and played in an open-ended Chicago. The third-person game follows a hacker named Aiden Pearce who taps into the city's central computer system, allowing him to digitally eavesdrop on mobile phone conversations, toy with traffic lights to slow down a dangerous target and access security cameras on demand. Along with the high-tech premise and "sandbox"-style, go-anywhere gameplay, Pearce is also agile, stealthy and a heck of a shot. No launch date or platforms have been announced.

Beyond Two Souls is slated for a 2013 release for PlayStation 3

Beyond: Two Souls

One of the most ambitious games on the horizon is Sony's Beyond: Two Souls, a movie-like single-player adventure from the geniuses at Quantic Dream (Heavy Rain, Indigo Prophecy, Omikron: The Nomad Soul). It is slated for a 2013 release for PlayStation 3 (or perhaps the next PlayStation expected to debut next year). The game follows Jody Holmes (played by Ellen Page) throughout a 15 year period — from childhood to young adult — and her link to an invisible entity floating around her she refers to as "Aiden."

Pikmin 3

Similar to the original Nintendo GameCube version and its sequel, Nintendo's Pikmin 3 for the new Wii U (which is out Nov. 18) is a strategy game that challenges you to guide hundreds of little, colorful creatures across a perilous planet. Due out some time before early 2013, this new version offers HD graphics, new Pikmin types, such as Rock (each with their own abilities), and a few other cool features. This single-player game will be played with the Wii Remote but the Wii U GamePad, which includes a 6.2-inch touchscreen, is used as an overhead map.

Tomb Raider

The 16 year old Tomb Raider franchise will soon be rebooted. Simply called Tomb Raider, the latest from Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix is a prequel, of sorts. It stars a younger and less experienced Lara Croft, who crash lands on a dangerous island and finds herself fighting for her life and unraveling an epic mystery. Through the intense combat (using a bow and arrow, primarily), exploration, puzzle-solving and dialogue sequences, we'll witness Lara evolve from a frightened young woman into the agile, smart and strong explorer we all know and love. Tomb Raider will be out March 5 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.

Dead Space 3

Due out Feb. 5, EA's Dead Space 3 once again fuses survival horror with sci-fi action. This time around, Isaac Clarke and John Carver crash-land on a frozen planet while attempting to uncover the source of the deadly Necromorph outbreak. Through exploration, puzzle-solving and plenty of nail-biting third-person combat, you must survive the harsh environment by yourself — or better yet, with a friend beside you or online in the new drop-in, drop-out co-op option. Each mode offers unique story elements and gameplay elements. This chilling adventure will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.